S2S (again!)

Maybe I'm crazy or something. Last night, around 6:30, me, Chris, Joe and Udi started that 30+ mile hike up from Snow Creek Village to the summit of San Jacinto (I did this about two weeks ago as well). This time, it was much harder for me. Perhaps I partied a bit too hard Friday night? I also think it had something to do with the fact that we started in the evening (as opposed to something like midnight), so, around midnight, my body was ready for bed because we'd already been hiking for six hours. But that wasn't an option. Thankfully, Chris stuck by my side and helped me to pull through. Also, thankfully: Red Bull. And coffee. And sunrise. This was seriously probably the hardest time I've had hiking yet.

L to R: Joe, Jess, Chris

The PCT is the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico up to Canada. We obviously only hiked a portion of it. As a matter of fact, I've been on a lot of portions of the PCT since moving out here. Much of the S2S hike is on the PCT.

Sun is starting to set

They keep getting tinier and tinier!

The moonrise! 

Last night was a special night in that it was the night of the "most super" "super moon" this year. A super moon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to us as it orbits around the earth, resulting in the moon appearing larger and brighter than usual. What made this particular super moon so super is that it is the closest the moon will be to the earth until next August. The night landscape was lit beautifully.

With nightfall came really, really unexpectedly cold weather that no one was prepared for. I was MISERABLE. My body was so exhausted that it couldn't keep itself warm. The only thing I could do to stay warm was keep on moving. And every time we stopped moving, it killed me a little bit inside.

Palm Springs down below

Pre-sunrise horizon

Jess, Joe, Chris, Udi

That's the moon

And lots of clouds below!

It's really too beautiful. I'm sorry -- I just couldn't decide which I liked best of all of these dawn/moon pictures. Honestly, they look almost otherworldly.

Finallllyyyy

Chris and I made it to the top and waited for everyone else for a while. I actually drifted off and fell asleep at the peak for a minute or so! I'm really bad at napping, so this is a testament to my exhaustion. 

About to head down to the tram

Back at the cars after a burger at Denny's. So happy (and exhausted)!